Mortgage Services

Best Blood Drive Ever - 08/31/09

(Paso Robles, CA) - Heritage Oaks Bank sponsored the most successful blood drive the Bank has ever had on August 25th at the Main Branch in Paso Robles with 51 donors. Heritage Oaks Bank participates in United Blood Services Heroes for Life Program by hosting four blood drives each year to help meet the needs in our community.

"Blood is the lifeline of a healthy community, making a steady supply critical to our collective well being. Our partnership with Heritage Oaks Bank helps us to achieve these goals. UBS-Central Coast supplies 100% of the blood components used in SLO County. We rely on businesses like HOB to better serve our community," said Mona Kleman, Donor Recruitment Manager for United Blood Services.

United Blood Services sets up the blood drive in the Heritage Oaks Bank parking lot at the Main Branch. Anyone is welcome to donate blood if they meet blood donation criteria. Heritage Oaks Bank provides sign-up sheets leading up to and on the day of the event for anyone interested in donating.

"Sponsoring the blood drive allows HOB to give back to the community, and contributes to the well being of our community members. It is with great pride that we at HOB sponsor quarterly blood drives at our Paso Robles location, contributing 30t o 50 pints of life-saving blood at every drive," says Kristin Kearns, Main Branch Manager.

What is it like to donate blood? A brief interview is the first step. You will be asked about your medical history and current health. Next, your temperature, blood pressure, pulse and blood iron level are checked. You will relax in a comfortable chair while a technician collects your blood donation. After donating, you will be invited to rest and enjoy a light refreshment. It is nto possible to get a disease while donating blood. All materials used during the donating process are sterile and used only once. Most donors find it a painless and heartwarming experience.

United Blood Servies exists to make a difference in people's lives by brining together people, inspiring individuals to donate blood, producing a safe and ample blood supply, advancing cutting-edge research and embracing continuous quality improvement.

Founded in 1943 as the Salt River Valley Blood Bank in Phoenix, Arizona, today United Blood Services non-profit community blood centers provide blood, blood components and special services to patients in more than 500 hospitals in 18 states. More than 15 million people in communities throughout these states depend on United Blood Services' generous volunteer blood donors to make sure lifesaving blood is available when and where it is needed.

During the summer, there is usually a significant decrease in the number of blood donations while there is an increase in the need for blood. August is traditionally the most difficult month to collect donations and local inventories often fall to critically low levels. Heritage Oaks Bank is proud to not only have the most donors participate in our blood drive, but also donate during a time of great need.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who participated in this successful blood drive. Mark your calendar, the next blood drive is scheduled for November 19, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.